My smoke detector is always sounding a false alarm whenever I cook. I know I shouldn’t disconnect the batteries, but how about putting a plastic shower cap over it?

Disconnected or unplugged smoke detectors is the leading cause of inoperative smoke detectors in the United States. Instead of disconnecting the battery or electrical connection when the alarm sounds from a false alarm you may want to:

  • Try moving the detector’s permanent mount to a location further away (i.e. in or near the kitchen is a bad location for a smoke detector)
  • Purchase a photo-electric detector
  • Purchase a detector with a silence or hush feature which temporarily silences the detector for five minutes and then automatically resets itself

Show All Answers

1. Is it true that smoke detectors have a life expectancy?
2. How many smoke detectors do I need in my house? I live in a 30 by 40 single-story ranch.
3. Where should I install my smoke detector?
4. My smoke detector started sounding an alarm the other day even though there was no smoke and I had just changed the battery a few weeks before. Is my smoke detector still good?
5. Is it true that there are smoke detectors that you don’t need to change the battery every year?
6. How often should I test my smoke detector?
7. Do you really need to change the smoke detector’s batteries every time you change the clock? My smoke detector chirps when the battery needs to be replaced.
8. Are there different types of smoke detectors on the market? Are some better than others?
9. My smoke detector is always sounding a false alarm whenever I cook. I know I shouldn’t disconnect the batteries, but how about putting a plastic shower cap over it?
10. Do I need a carbon monoxide detector?
11. Where should carbon monoxide detectors be placed?